Fragrance tablet and method

ABSTRACT

A fragrance tablet having a fragrance selected from the group consisting of synthetic fragrances, natural fragrances and essential oils; and a fragrance tablet delivery device, wherein said fragrance tablet delivery device is water soluble and related method is disclosed. The fragrance tablet dissolves in wash water and mixes with non-fragranced laundry detergent to create a desired scent.

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application claim the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/359,933 filed on Dec. 23, 2011.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward fragrance tablet, andmore specifically toward fragrance tablet used with non-fragrancedlaundry detergent to produce a desired scent, and related method.

Currently in the United States over 35 billon loads of laundry arewashed annually. These loads of laundry are washed using a variety oflaundry detergent, including fragranced and non-fragranced detergent.The fragranced detergent, while enjoyable to some users, can beoverbearing and not pleasing to other users. Further, commonly usedfragrances can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation to users.

Additionally, the prior art fragranced laundry detergent is sold incontainers suitable to hold multiple ounces of the laundry detergent.This causes a disadvantage when the user is not satisfied with thefragrance of the laundry detergent contained therein. The user eithermust discard the unwanted laundry detergent or continue using suchlaundry detergent all the while being dissatisfied.

Additionally, when there are multiple members of a household, eachmember of the household may enjoy different fragrances for theirlaundry. It is, however, impractical for a family to purchase multiplecontainers of different fragranced laundry detergent causing somemembers of the family to be dissatisfied.

Therefore, there is a need for a fragrance delivery product that caninfuse a fragrance into laundry to the specifications of one or moreusers taking into account the disadvantages of the prior art as set outherein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive fragrance tablet and related method described hereinsatisfies the needs set out above.

In one aspect of the present invention, a fragrance tablet is disclosedfor use during the washing of laundry. The fragrance tablet isdissolvable in wash water and when combined with non-fragranced laundrydetergent, whether such detergent is powder, liquid or contained in adissolvable gel pack, provides a desired scented laundry to thesatisfaction of the user.

The term “fragranced” can mean any type of fragrance including syntheticfragrances, natural fragrances and plant oils, also known as essentialoils. The use of fragrance is, therefore, not meant to be limiting, andthose skilled in the art would recognize that such use is merelyillustrative.

The term “fragranced tablet” can mean any type of fragrance deliverydevice suitable for incorporation with laundry detergent. The devicescan include effervescent tablets, dissolvable gel packs, paste, powder,cream, liquid, slurry, etc. The use of fragranced tablets is, therefore,not meant to be limiting, and those skilled in the art would recognizethat such use is merely illustrative.

The fragrance tablets can include various scents made from syntheticfragrances, natural fragrances and essential oils individually or incombination what are suitable for the needs and personal preferences ofmultiple users. Further, the fragrance tablet can include othercomponents such as cleaning boosters such as enzymes, laundry boostersand fabric softener.

Upon reading the included description, various alternative embodimentswill become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments areto be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention,which is only limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the process to create an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward fragrance tablet andmore specifically toward fragrance table that combines with laundrydetergent to create a desirable scent and related method.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a fragrance deliverydevice suitable for incorporation with laundry detergent for use duringthe washing of laundry. The tablet includes a scent made from naturalfragrances and essential oils. The fragrance tablet is dissolvable inwash water and when combined with non-fragranced laundry detergentprovides the desired scented laundry to the satisfaction of the user.

Variations of the fragrance delivery device includes effervescenttablets, dissolvable gel packs, paste, powder, cream, liquid, slurry,etc. Further, the fragrance can also be made from synthetic fragrances.An additional variation of this embodiment include the addition of othercomponents such as cleaning boosters such as enzymes, laundry boostersand fabric softener.

An embodiment of the method of the present invention includes thecombination of unscented laundry detergent and a fragrance tablet tocreate scented laundry to the satisfaction of the user. The fragrancetablet is capable of rapidly dissolving in water. In this embodiment,the fragrance tablet is an effervescent tablet.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an embodiment 10 of the method of the presentinvention includes placing a quantity of unscented laundry detergent ina washing machine 20, selecting a fragrance tablet having a desiredscent associated therewith 30, and placing that fragranced tablet in thewashing machine 40. The fragrance tablet will then dissolve infusing itsscent into the laundry during washing process 50. A variation on thismethod is to first place the fragrance tablet into washing machine thanthen add the non-fragranced laundry detergent. Both of these methods canoccur either before or after the wash water has started to fill thewashing machine.

Another embodiment of the present invention is to combine two or moretablets having different scents to create a new scent.

EXAMPLES

A first example illustrates a user having the ability to createdifferent scents for her laundry using the same container ofnon-fragranced laundry detergent. In this example, the user is wantingto have different scents associated with the linens and the workclothes. She places the linens, a quantity of unscented laundrydetergent in a washing machine along with a fragrance tablet having afirst scent. The fragrance tablet quickly dissolves during the washingcycle impregnating the linens with its scent.

The user then places the work cloths, a second quantity of unscentedlaundry detergent in the washing machine and selects a fragranced tablethaving a second scent. The work clothes will become impregnated with thesecond scent.

A second example illustrates creating different scents for specificfamily members using the same container of unscented laundry detergent.In this example, the mother can select a first fragrance tablet having afirst scent for washing with a baby's clothes. The fragrance tablet forthis load of laundry includes a natural fragrance that will notadversely affect the baby's skin. The remainder of the family's clothescan be washed using a second fragrance tablet having a second scent. Thesame unscented laundry detergent can be used for each of the differentloads of laundry creating fragranced laundry detergent to thesatisfaction of each member of the family.

While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated anddescribed, such disclosures should not be regarded as any limitation ofthe scope of our invention. The true scope of our invention is definedin the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appendedclaims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiment andall such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A method of creating a laundry detergent having a custom scent, said method comprising the steps of: placing unscented laundry detergent into a clothes washer; selecting a fragrance tablet having a desired scent; and placing said selected fragrance tablet into said clothes washer.
 2. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 1 wherein said step of placing unscented laundry detergent into a clothes washer occurs after said step of placing said selected fragrance tablet into said clothes washer.
 3. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting a fragrance tablet is further defined as selecting two or more fragrance tablets having a two or more desired scents.
 4. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 1 wherein the fragrance tablet comprises: a fragrance selected from the group consisting of synthetic fragrances, natural fragrances and essential oils; and a fragrance tablet delivery device, wherein said fragrance tablet delivery device is water soluble.
 5. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 4 wherein said fragrance tablet delivery device is an effervescent tablet.
 6. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 4 wherein said fragrance tablet delivery device is a gel pack.
 7. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 4 wherein said fragrance tablet further comprising a cleaning booster.
 8. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 7 wherein said cleaning booster is an enzyme.
 9. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 4 wherein said fragrance tablet further comprising a laundry booster.
 10. The method of creating a laundry detergent of claim 4 wherein said fragrance tablet further comprising a fabric softener. 